Environmental Science: Ecosystems, Pollution, and Resources
Ecosystem Definition and Functional Units
Definition: An ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microorganisms) that interact with each other and with non-living components (air, water, soil, sunlight, and minerals) in a particular area. It is a basic functional unit of nature where energy flows and nutrients are recycled.
Core Components of an Ecosystem
1. Biotic Components (Living Components)
These are the living parts of an ecosystem:
- Producers: Green plants that make their
Mass and balance
BIO DIVERSITY Variation = differences btwn organisms; physical (size, colour, shape) or behavioural.~Interspecific = btwn species. Intraspecific = within same species.~Species = organisms that can interbreed + produce fertile offspring.~Biodiversity = variety of life; ↑ variation = ↑ biodiversity.~Adaptation = variation that improves survival/reproduction.• Structural = physical trait• Behavioural = action/behaviour~Natural Selection: helpful variation → survive/reproduce → trait passed
Read MoreHuman Respiratory and Urinary System Anatomy
The Respiratory System
The respiratory system is a group of organs and tissues that help us in breathing or respiration. This group of organs and tissues is known as the respiratory tract, which includes the passage of air from the nose to the alveoli in the lungs.
- Path: Air → O₂ (Oxygen)
- Breathing: This is generally a physical and mechanical process of taking air (O₂) into the body/lungs and expelling it (CO₂).
- Respiration: This is the complete biochemical process of exchanging gases (O₂/
Biochemistry: Metabolism, Enzymes, and DNA Replication
The Glycolysis Pathway
Glycolysis is a biochemical pathway in which one molecule of glucose (a 6-carbon compound) is converted into two molecules of pyruvic acid (a 3-carbon compound) through a series of enzyme-controlled reactions. It occurs in the cytoplasm of all living cells and does not require oxygen directly, making it an anaerobic process.
During glycolysis, energy is produced in the form of ATP and NADH. It consists of two phases:
- The energy investment phase
- The energy payoff phase
Glycolysis
Read MoreMicroorganisms and Plant Biology: Essential Concepts
Understanding Viruses and Microorganisms
Viruses are not considered living things because they cannot perform nutrition or interaction. To reproduce, viruses invade an organism. The virus structure is very simple: a capsid (an external shell made of proteins that contains genetic material) and nucleic acid (genetic information).
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infectious diseases.
A microorganism is a living thing so small that it requires a microscope to be seen. We use microorganisms to make
Read MoreUnderstanding Blood Glucose Homeostasis and Diabetes
Understanding Diabetes and Blood Glucose
Diabetes is a group of disorders that affect the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. The term diabetes mellitus refers to conditions caused by problems with the hormone insulin, while diabetes insipidus is a separate disorder involving the regulation of water balance in the body.
- Type 1 diabetes: Occurs when the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
- Type 2 diabetes: Develops when the body becomes resistant